Blood Extraction Platform

In 2018 NHSE commissioned Genomic Laboratory Hubs (GLHs) for the delivery of high-quality, efficient, and centralised genomic services. The South West GLH is hosted at NBT, all core rare disease, cancer testing and specialised rare disease testing in cardiology, renal and neurology is provided from the Bristol Genetics laboratory (BGL). The purpose of this Prior Information Notice (PIN) is to alert potential suppliers to an opportunity to provide a high throughput DNA extraction platform capable of extracting DNA from venous blood where sample volumes are greater than 2ml and be able to produce a high yield of high molecular weight (>48kb) genomic DNA to BGL. The system must produce minimum DNA yields which average between 40 and 100 micrograms of DNA from 2-10ml of human blood. This is key to ensure that the platform can meet the requirements of our Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) service for which 95% of diagnoses are made through genomic testing using Southern Blotting. The total funding available for this capital equipment procurement is £350,000 (inclusive of VAT) however reagent and consumable costs will also be taken into consideration when awarding the contract to achieve best value for the Trust.

Additional requirements include; - The platform should be high throughput with flexibility in batch sizes for efficient use. These should range from a single sample to maximum batch size. - The system must allow the use of a variety of tube types in which the extracted DNA can be collected or eluted into, in particular 2ml screw-cap tubes and 2D barcoded tubes (e.g. fluidX 0.7ml tubes). - Cross-contamination of samples during automated processing must be shown to be absent - The system must incorporate barcode scanning and be able to record the barcode labels of both primary tubes and DNA output tubes in a log or database. - The system must be able to use barcoding data to match the input tube with the output tube and complete elution of DNA according to this information. - The system must be capable of automating extraction procedure to a level where 'walkaway' operation is facilitated - The system must be capable of sampling from the primary tube starting material (blood)- avoiding the need to manually aspirate from the primary sample tube - The system must be enclosed in such a way to protect the operators.

Additional information: Expressions of interest should be e-mailed to [email protected] by no later than 17:00 hrs (GMT) on 9th August 2024. This should include a brief overview (or a website link) of the Systems which might be offered. If this opportunity is not suitable for your organisation, there is no need to respond. Suppliers who respond positively will be added to a mailing list and may be invited to a virtual information-gathering session with key stakeholders. At any point suppliers are welcome to remove themselves from further communication.

No business is guaranteed under any resulting framework agreement or contract, indeed there is no guarantee that any framework agreement or contract will be put in place in relation to this notice.